About the Memorial

The Bernie Friedenberg World War II Memorial will consist of a two-figure soldier sculpture with granite hardscaping, surrounded by a circular pavement, “The Cost of Freedom Circle” containing granite inlays, each of which summarizes a historic moment of U.S involvement in World War II.

The Sculpture

The two-figure sculpture, the centerpiece of the Bernie Friedenberg World War II Memorial, was designed and created by Pennsylvania-based Fisher Sculpture, one of the foremost manufacturers of sports and military sculptures in the U.S. After Friedenberg’s passing in 2018, Fisher learned of Friedenberg’s heroics and contacted the Friedenberg Family. Fisher, whose sculptures are acclaimed for their accurate portraiture and harmonious design, offered to create the statue to honor Friedenberg and other World War II veterans for $150,000, representing Fisher’s cost to produce the statue.

The bronze statue depicts a six-foot likeness of Friedenberg cradling a dying soldier in his arms on Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944. Details like portraiture, buttons, patches, period-correct equipment, and other uniform details will be included in the full-size sculpture.

The statue will rest on a pedestal three feet in height and will be encircled by a granite sitting wall 18 inches high and 18 inches deep. A granite floor will extend from the sitting wall to the statue pedestal. The flags of the six branches of the U.S. military will encircle the rear of the statue.

The Cost of Freedom Circle

To remember the sacrifices of all World War II veterans, the left side of the circular pavement surrounding the granite memorial will be dedicated to U.S. military participation in the World War II European Theater, while the right side of the pavement will be dedicated to U.S. military participation in the World War II Pacific Theater. 28 granite inlays will be embedded in the pavement, 24 of which will be identified with a specific battle in either the European or Pacific Theater. Each inlay will identify a battle, time frame, location, allied participants, and U.S. Casualty figures, where available. The American Flag will be erected at the easternmost point of the memorial, in line with the statue and the existing World War I Memorial. The memorial, the flags, and the pavement extending from the Friedenberg Memorial to the nearby World War I memorial will be illuminated at dusk.

In addition to the $150,000 statue cost, it is projected that an additional $850,000 will be incurred for statue transportation/erection, and site development costs (excavation, foundation, pedestal, granite hardscaping, sidewalk construction, memorial illumination, and other amenities.

Atlantic City government has given its approval for the erection of the Friedenberg Memorial at a site located in O’Donnell Park in Atlantic City, NJ. The approved site is in proximity to both the World War I Memorial and Stockton University.

The unveiling and dedication of the Memorial is scheduled for June 6, 2024 at 12 noon.

The rain date is June 8, 2024 at 12 noon.